New Delhi: The Central Government is laying stress on skill development programmes for students to implement the new format of vocational education in the country. The government is going to set up over three dozens of skill development centers across the country.

The state governments have been demanding polytechnic colleges. The private sector has also shown keen interest in setting up of polytechnic colleges. Meanwhile, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has received 280 applications for setting up of polytechnic colleges in the various states.

Sources said that the AICTE is going to open a skill development center in one of the polytechnic colleges in every state from next academic session. The AICTE is likely to open around 35 such centers in various states. It will provide Rs 3 crore to the polytechnic college concerned for running the skill development center for three years.

Besides technical education, vocational training will also be imparted to the students for their skill development. The polytechnic colleges need 10, 000 sq ft of space to set up the center. AICTE Chairman Prof SS Mantha said, “Each state will get one skill development center. But if a particular state sends no proposal in this regard, the center will be opened in other state.”